The "Fat Lady" has a Final Note but Never the Final Word

S - 2 Kings 20:5-11 (NLT): ""Go back to Hezekiah, the leader of my people. Tell him, `This is what the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of the LORD. I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will do this to defend my honor and for the sake of my servant David.' “Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah's servants, "Make an ointment from figs and spread it over the boil." They did this, and Hezekiah recovered! Meanwhile, Hezekiah had said to Isaiah, "What sign will the LORD give to prove that he will heal me and that I will go to the Temple of the LORD three days from now?" Isaiah replied, "This is the sign that the LORD will give you to prove he will do as he promised. Would you like the shadow on the sundial to go forward ten steps or backward ten steps?" "The shadow always moves forward," Hezekiah replied. "Make it go backward instead." So Isaiah asked the LORD to do this, and he caused the shadow to move ten steps backward on the sundial of Ahaz!"

O - This story is such a strange and dynamic mix of heaven and earth. Hezekiah is told that his time is up, he's sick and should put his house in order … the fat lady is warming up. With her prelude in his ears he convulses a prayer which heaven not only hears but honors. Fifteen more years are decreed for him and the prophet is sent back to recalibrate the previously delivered message. He will be healed … but in three days AND an ointment is to be applied AND the sun will be "moved back" a bit to confirm that this is all true. If the Lord is willing (and he was) to move the shadows (i.e. the sun) why does Hezekiah have to wait three days to be healed and why is there any need of medical intervention? The Scriptures do not give us any reason for this particular recipe which may be a part of the point. The Kingdom of God and the God of it is not primarily efficient. Neither are his decisions and activities subject to our approval or preferences. He is engaged with us and our world, requires us to ask, is always willing to move heaven and earth for the sake of those who love him back AND his ways are his own. We're not told why Hezekiah has to wait three days only that he does. Far from whimsical or arbitrary, we are called to believe for what we pray and that he is working EVERYTHING for good and for the good of those who love him back and stay called according to HIS purpose (e.g. Romans 8:28).

A - Our assignment, my assignment, is not found in the how or when but believing THAT the Lord will work. When we ask (and if something is not going to happen it shouldn't be because we didn't ask) we are required to be humble enough to accept the Lord's reply and the way he wants to answer. His ways are his own. He calls us to himself not a formula and to his ways (and still no formula) … and whosoever will may come.

P - Lord of heaven and earth,

I am so very grateful for your ongoing interface with earth and with my very little life. I admit that your ways are your own and that you call me to yourself and to your ways. Lord, for all that I am asking, I am believing that you are working and I welcome you and the way you want to answer. I will do whatever you want me to. I will take you at your word and continue to ask big because nothing is too hard, nothing is impossible, nothing is too wonderful for you.

Ignoring the Fat Lady,

Steve